Houses In Motion

Appears to be about a man, completely determined to work towards his very introverted goal, which makes him detached from and slightly paranoid of his peers. He is killing his sense of social contact and values as he's resolutely "digging" for this idea, which seems to be of meaning-of-life level importance (or actually the meaning of life), and he imposes self-isolation with his erratic behavior. He sparringly says anything anymore, but when he does he babbles on about his thoughts until people start to quiet him down, all to the point where even his girlfriend "give up hope".

One of my favorite Heads songs. David Byrne in prime, paranoid form. Very nice flute or whatever it is.

this song definitely grows on you quick. brilliant.

In one review of "Remain In Light" that I read, the reviewer called this song the only filler on that album. I can't believe that! This has got to be one of my favorite Heads' songs. And it's certainly no more filler than "Listening Wind" or "Seen And Not Seen." But I digress.

As for the meaning, I think it's about not taking things for granted and living life to the fullest. In a trippy drug-induced sense, perhaps? Hmm...

This song is depressing and powerful. It is about existing for the sake of not dying, forgetting lost dreams, and sacrificing happiness for short-term security.

yeah, i love this song too. im surprised its not more popular.

What a fan you are, majestikmoose9 -- you counter the accusation that this song is filler by, instead of praising this song, calling even more songs filler.

Is that how you talk about a world-class album?

Either way, I agree, I always thought this song is awesome.

I love the opening lyric: "For a long time I felt without style and grace, wearing shoes with no socks, in cold weather."

That's such a beautiful description of what it feels like to think you're living without style and grace -- and hilarious!

The song is about a man digging his own grave. He is continually running the race, but never really accomplishes anything. That is why the contrast is so evident in the chorus. He is walking a tight line between life and death until all the material things he has built up divide and dissolve. I'm also getting the feeling that the man digging his grave is living a double life. Surrounded by "two houses" and "keeping (his) fingers behind (him)", as in lying about something.

The character in this song seems to be searching for a meaning in life, but is unable to break free of his work. By constantly working, he is digging his own grave- work is devouring his life, until he is dead and can no longer enjoy what he once could have had. He keeps trying to do something meaningful besides metaphorical digging, but there's "no time to begin" or it's just not the time, or people tell him to "get out of the way" so that they can do something instead. "So nothing was done." The female character is another person who is doing nothing worthwhile in her life, but instead of continuing to "dig" futilely, she simply gives up her hope. I wish I could comprehend all of the imagery about motion. There's always some layer in Talking Heads songs that makes sense, and then another layer that I can't understand no matter how hard I try. This song is amazing.

I think that this song is the narrator of "Once In A Lifetime" before reaching the point talked of in that song viewed through the eyes of those around him, watching him "digging his own grave", worrying about the future and implied rather than the constant ("let the water hold me down"), present, happening, and he still views time as holding him. It is the idea of a construct vs. a constant, so to speak.